Magazine for rapid-fire arms.



G. P. HOWE.

MAGAZINE FOR RAPID FIRE ARMS. APPLICATION FILED 213.11, 1914.

1,1 19,756. A Patented Dec. 1,1914.

4 SHEETBSHBBT l.

,l/II/Ill,

G. P. HOWE.

MAGAZINE FOR RAPID FIRE ARMS.

APPLICATION FILED PEB.11. 1914.

Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

G. P. HOWE.

MAGAZINE FOR RAPID FIRE ARMS.

APPLICATION FILBDFBB.11,1914.

1 119 755, Patented De0.1,1914.

4 SHEETBSHEET 3.

G. P. HOWE.

MAGAZINE FOR RAPID FIRE ARMS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.11.1914.

1,1 19,756. Patented Dec.1,1914.

4 SHBETS-SHEET 4.

v.1 f ,4 ZZCK. 726.

, HOWE, a citizen of the United States, and

GEORGE PLUMMER HOWE, OF BOSTbN, MASSACHUSETTS.

MAGAZINE FOR RAPID-FIRE ARMS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

Application filed February.1 1, 1914. Serial No. 818,126.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE ,PLuMMna residentof Boston, in the county of Sufiolk and State of Massachusetts, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Magazines for Rapid-Fire Arms,of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the construction and operation of rapid firearms and is adaptable either to the full automatic or the semi-automatictypes of such arms.

The object of my invention is'to provide means for re-loading themagaines of firearms of thegeneral type designated, with certainty andrapidity.

For the purposes of illustrating my invention and improvements, I takeas an example of the type of firearm above designated, the. well knownColt automatic pistol. In

i this firearm the cartridges which constitute the ammunition arearranged side by side in a nearly vertical column in the magazine, theline of feed from the magazine. being transverse to the axes of theindividual cartridges and the magazine being located in the handle orgrip of the pistol.

In the drawings hereto annexed which illustrate ,my inventions andimprovements,Figure 1 is a side elevation of part of a Colt automaticpistol comprising my improvements, the magazine being shown as closed;Fig. 2 1s a similar view showing the magazine open; Fig. 3 is a crosssection taken at the line 33 of Fig.2; Fig. 4 shows a plurality ofcartridges held as a unit in the ammunition clip which is a feature ofmy improvements; Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken through the magazineshowing the magazine only partly filled with cartridges, which aredisengaged from the ammunition clip; Fig. 6 is a section taken alcng theline 66 of Fig. 5, showing the ammunition cli'pis rear elevation; Fig. 7is a section through the magazine cover taken on the line 7 7 of Fig. 1;Fig. 8 is a section of the magazine clip taken on the line 88 of Fig. 10looking against the arrow points; Fig. 9 is a rear elevation of theammunition clip with the members thereof interlocked and in cartridgeholding position; Fig. 10 is an elevation of the car.- tridges and theammunition clip, the latter being shown with its members expanded anddisengaged from the cartridges; Fig. 11 is a broken sectional view ofportions of the Colt automatic pistol showing a modified or alternativeform inwhich my inventions and improvements may be embodied; Fig. 12isasection taken on the line 12-12 of Fig. 11 and showing the magazinecase nearly but not quite inserted into the chamber therefor; Fig. 13 isa side elevation, partly bro-ken away, of the magazine case; 1g. 14 1s afront view of the ammunition clip with its members-in cartridgeembracing position; Fig. 15 is a similar view of the ammunition clip'with its members in cartridge releasingposition;Fig. 16 shows thecartridges assembled in the clip; Fig. 17 is a cross section of the clipshown in Fig. 14 with a cartridge exhibited in elevation; Fig. 18 isanother cross section ofthe ammunitlon clip, this section being takenthrough one of the cam slots therein; Fig. 19 is a side view, partly inbroken section, of a portion of a Colt automatic pistol comprisinganother alternative form of my inventions and improvements; Fig. 20 is avertical section through the' magazine case shown in Fig. 19; Fig. 21 isa rear elevation of the same magazine case; Fig. 22 is a cross sectionof the same magazine case taken at the line 22-22 of Fig. 19; Fig. 23shows a plurality of cartridgesheld by an. ammunition clip of peculiarconstruction; Fig. 24; is a plan View of a portion of said ammunitionclip; and Fig. 25 shows a magazine case in cross section and theammunitionclip and cartridges in end view, the latter in the act(if-insertion into the magazine ease.

Referrin to Figs. 1 to 10, inclusive, which illustrate t at form of myinventions and improvements which I regard as preferable, the grip Grconstitutes the magazine (no separable magazine case such as is involvedin the structures illustrated in Figs. 11 to 25, inclusive, beingincluded in this preferred formv of my improvements). The magazineconsisting thus of the grip G which is suitably chambered for thepurpose, is provided with a lateral opening at G which openingissubstantially as large in'longitudinal dimensicn (-i. e. along theline of feed of the magazine) as the ammunition space of the magazine.This lateral opening in the magazine is covered by a slidable cover C ofwhich the'plate S is slidably fitted into the magazine opening Gt Theplate S is channeled obliquely to receive the latch L (Figs. 1, 2 and 7)which when the cover C is closed engages with a notch Nand when the,cover is open, with the notch N, both these notches being formed in aside of the magazine opening G The latch L is impelled'towarclnotch-engaging position by the spring L and may be withdrawn fromnotch-engaging position by means of the knurled boss L which, projectinginto a recess C in the cover C, may conveniently be operated by thethumb or finger.

In the ammunition chamber of the magazine there is provided the usualammunition feeding spring D with its follower" F. The

follower F (see Fig. 5) is providedwith a side plate F from which a spurF is laterally and outwardly'bent so as to engage with the projectionson the inside of the plate SQ \Vhen, therefore, the cover C (the latch Lbeing first withdrawn for the purpose) is slid downward from'theposition shown in Fig. 1 to that shownin Fig. 2, the projection Sengages the spur F and compresses the spring D, opening the magazine andpreparing the space above the follower F for the insertion ofammunition.

-While it would be possibleto insert loose cartridges into the magazinethrough the lateral opening provided by withdrawal of the cover (J, Iconsider it preferable to prepar'e the ammunition so that several cartridgesusually a full magazine charge-- may be inserted as a unit intothe magazine through the lateral opening. For this pun; pose l'havecontrived an ammunition clip,

which serves to hold a plurality of car'- tridges'assembled as a unitand ready forinsertion into the'magazme and which also" cooperates withthe magazine mechanism and becomes a functional factor related to themagazine mechanism after the clip and the plates A and Acartridges'embraced therebyhave been introduced into the magazine.

A simple and I believefthe' best form of ammunition clip is shown inFigs. 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10. Referring to Fig. 9, which shows theammunition clip on a large scale,v the clip comprises two members,namely, the

These plates are each turned up at an edge to form the cartridgeengaginglips A A., respectively. The plate Av has inclined cam slots A? cut init and the plate A is provided with spurs A 'Which extend through thecam slots A" and are bent around the plate A so that the two plates Aand Aare secured together. Inasseinbling the cartridges B in the clip,the two plates are slid longitudinally on each other to the positionshown in Fig. 10. In this i position the cooperation of the cam slots Aand spurs A cause the two plate members A and A to spread apart so thatthe cartridges B can be inserted between the flanges or lips A and A ofthe plates A and A plates A and A are then slid back into the relationshown in Fig. ,9, this movement drawing the hps A and A into engagementThe 1 with the usual channels atthe basesfo f the cartridge shells. Thenthe corners A and p Q A of the plates A and A, respectively, are

7 slightly bentup so as to prevent the cartridges B from slipping outlengthwise. It will be observed that there is a shoulder. A"

upon plate A and a similar shoulder A upon plate A these for a purposepresently to be described. 7

The magazine being opened (Figi2)fla clip filled with cartridges asabove described is inserted as a unit into the lateralr'openin i of themagazine and thereupon the late L is withdrawn from engagement withnotchN and the islidable cover C moved upward to 'close' the openingfG-This of projection S upon the spur F, the latter being on thefollower Fso that the spring" D exerts pressure uponthe lowermost ear- 'tridge inthe magazine. Thisoressure apend of the plied at first upon the forwarmovement of the cover C'releasesthe hold cartridge tends to tilt thelowermost car.-

jtridge and the 'others'in turn toward the position shown in Fig. 5, butuntil thecartridges arereleased fromthe-embraceof the ammunition clip,this tilting movement cannot be completed.

To release the cartridge fromthe embrace:

of the ammunition clip, the two plate mem bers A' and A must be slidlengthwise on one another 50 that the cam slots AAco-z operating withthe spurs A will compelv the two plates'A and A" to spread a art-and"thus to disengage the cartridges rom'the' lips A and A. At 'oneside'ofthe magazine in the'upper part thereof (see Fig 6) there isprovided a shoulder G and; on the slide there is provided the projectionS.- As the'closing movement of the cover C is being completed theprojection S engages with the shoulder A upon plate. A while the similarshoulder A upon plate A strikes against the shoulder or abutment G".Then the final closing movement of the cover C. obliges the plate A toslide upward to the position shown in F ig 6 while plate A is restrainedbythe abutment G; the two plates A and A are thusslid longitudinallyrelatively to one another and are atthe-sa'melf tnne spread apartthrough the cooperation of the cam slots A and the spurs A". The acartridges are'thereby released from the 'emi A brace ofthe ammunitionclip which thereafter plays no part inthe operationof-Ithe firearm \Vhncartridges,

releases the ammunition clip which readily the magazineha's been emptiedof d and it is desired to insert a fresh charge, the cover 0 1s againopened. Thisfalls out or may be shaken. out tomake place" for a--freshclip with the cartridges assem-" bled in it.

Figs. 11 to 18, inclusive, illustrate an alternative'form in which myimprovements may be embodied, and one in which the inner sheet metalmagazine case to be found in the Colt automatic pistol as at presentmanufactured, is retained. This form of my invention, therefore, isadapted to incorporation into the structure of automatic pistols as nowmanufactured and may possess special practical value for that reason,although as I have already intimated I regard the.

structure illustrated in Figs. 1 to inclusive as a better concreteexample of my improvements. Referring to Fig. 11, M represents the sheetmetal magazine case which is housed within the pistol grip G. Thismagazine case is provided with notches at M and M which engage with thetoe H of the spring catch H.- The magazine case M is also slotted at Mthis slot providing a way for the movement of the spur F, formed at thelower edge of the side wall F on the follower F and projecting outwardthrough the slot M At the bottom of the slot M there is a lateral notchM to engage the spur F when the follower F is drawn down to compress themagazine spring D. One side, to wit, the rear, of the magazine case M iscut away, forming a lateral opening at the rear of the magazine casewhichis substantially of the same longitudinal dimensions as theammunition space of the magazine. The metal wall near the base of thecase M is notched or stepped as seen in Fig. '12, and the metal at oneside is turned in to form a stiffshoulder at M (Fig. 13). At the upperend of the case the lateral opening is bounded by a strip of metal Mwhich constitutes a bridge from one. side to the other of the magazinecase M.

To prepare the magazine case M for reloading,the spring catch H issprung outward, disengaging the toe H from the notch M and the magazineis then slid down out of the grip G in the usual way, the spring clip Hmoving inward when the notch M arrives at a position opposite the toe H.The magazine case M is then swung forward on the toe H as a pivot, asshown in dotted lines in Fig. 11, to expose the lateral opening at therear thereof to its full extent.

The ammunition unit consisting of a group of cartridges B is held in aclip of practically the same construction as the clip already describedin connection with Figs. 1 to 10, inclusive, so that a furtherdescription of all the details of this ammunition clip is unnecessary.

\Vhen the magazine case M is protruded to the position shown in dottedlines in Fig. 11, the follower F is moved downward by means of the spurF and the spur F insorted in the notch M so that the spring I) is heldcompressed between the follower and the base plate. of the magazine caseM. Then when the ammunition unit consisting 'of cartridges B held in theammunition clip is inserted as a unit in the magazine case M through therear opening thereof, the lowermost cartridge in the clip be'ars on thefollower F and tips it downward and forward, releasing the spur F fromthe notch M. Then the magazine case M is turned rearwardly andreinsertedjnto the chamber in the grip G. At the close of this movementof reinsertion of the magazine case M, the stud E (Figs. 11' and 12)which projects into the space within the pistol grip and is carried onthe end of the spring E, standsin the path of the shoulder A? on theclip plate A and .arrests the plate A while the ledge M (Fig. 13)-bearing on the corner A of plate A continues to force plate A upward. Bythis means the plates A and A are slid with relation to each other andspread apart by the intersection of the camslots A and spurs A,releasing the cartridges from the embrace of the lips A and A. In thedischarge of the firearm the cartridges are fed upward in the usualmanner. When the magazine is emptied the magazine case M is againextrudedfrom the clip G and the ammunition clip remaining therein eitherfalls out or may be easilyremoved to make way for the insertion of a newammunition unit.

The upper side of the stud E is beveled, and the top edge of themagazine-case M is inclined at M (Fig. 12) so that the stud 112 yieldsto allow the magazine case M to pass it in either direction.

In the examples of my improvements hereinabove described the ammunitionclip enters the magazine, remains there, and oooperates functionallywith the magazine F igs. 19 to 25, inclusive, the ammunition clipcooperates with the magazine case to deliver the cartridges to the caseand is thereupon withdrawn before reinsertion of the:

magazine ease into thegrip G, leaving the cartridges engaged with themagazine case without the clip. Referring to Figs. 19 to 25, it will beseen that the arm is of the same general character as that illustratedin Figs. 11 to 18 inclusive, in that the magazine involves the use of asheet metal case M, which in so far as concerns its mode of extrusionand replacement in the magazine space within the grip G, is constructedin much the same manner as the magazine case shown in Fig. 11, andtherefore need not be described in full detail. In this instance,however, the opening at the rear of the case M is formed so that thesides of the magazine case are inturned so as to form cartridge grippinglips M and M, and notches erture smaller in longitudinal dimension thanthe entire ammunition space in the magazine. In degree, the modes ofoperation and the convenience in loading will differ in such case fromthe mode of operation and attendant conveniences peculiar to vthearrangement specifically shown in the is introduced as a unit, said clipcomprising a pair of interlocked members, and means operated by theclosure of the magazine to disengage the cartridges from the clipmembers.

2. In a firearm of the type designated, the combination of a magazineprovided with a lateral opening of substantially the same longitudinaldimension as the ammunition space of the magazine, means to expose saidlateral opening for the introduction of ammunition, a clip to hold aplurality of cartridges,'whereby a plurality of cartridges is introducedas a unit, said clip comprising a pair of cartridge-embracing plates,one provided with inclined cam slots, the other with spurs engaging-saidcam slots, and means operated by the closure of the magazine to slidethe said plates on each other and spread them, thereby to release the.can, tridges from the embrace of said plates.

3. In a firearm of the type designated, the combination of a magazineprovided with a lateral opening, a movable cover for said opening, anammunition feeding spring in the magazine, and means actuated by themovable cover to compress the spring as the cover is moved to expose thesaid magazine opening.

4. In a firearm of the type designated, the combination of a magazineprovided with a lateral opening of substantially the same longitudinaldimension as the ammunition space of the magazine, a slidably mountedcover for said opening, an ammunition feeding spring in the magazine,and means actuated by the sliding cover to engage and compress thespring as the cover is moved to expose the said magazine opening.

5. In a firearm of the type designated, combination of a magazineprovided with a lateral opening of substantially the same longitudinaldimension as the ammunition space of the magazine, a movable cover forsaid opening, a clip to hold a plurality of cartridges for simultaneousintroduction of longitudinal dimension as the ammunition I lateralopenin said cartridges as a unit into the opening in. the magazine, saidclip comprising a pair of interlocked members, and means actuated by themagazine cover to disengage the cartridges from said clip members onclosure of the cover.

6. a firearm of the type designated, the combination of a magazineprovided with a lateral opening of substantially the same space of themagazine, a movable'cover for said opening, a clipto hold a plurality ofcartridges for simultaneous introduction of said cartridges as a unitinto the opening in the magazine, said clip comprising a pair ofcartridge-embracin plates, one provided with inclined cams ots, theother with spurs engaging said cam slots, and means, actuated by themagazine cover to engage and slide the said plates on each other andspread them, thereby to release the cartridges from the embrace of saidplates.

' 7. In a firearm of the type designated, the combination of a ma azinewith a lateral opening of substantially the same longitudinal dimensionas the ammunition space of the magazine, a slidably mounted cover forsaid opening, an ammunition feeding spring in the magazine, meanscarried by theslid ing cover to engage and compress the spring asthecover is moved to expose the said magazine opening, and a clip to hold aplurality of cartridges, said clip and cartridges introduceable as aunit into the said magazine opening.

8. In a firearm of the type designated, the combination of a magazineprovided with a lateralopening of substantially the same'longitudinaldimension as the ammunition space of the magazine, a slidably mountedcover for said opening, an ammunition ,feeding spring in the magazine,means carried by the sliding cover to engage and compress the spring asthe cover is moved to expose the said magazine opening, a clip to hold aplurality of cartridges, said clip and cartridges introduceable as aunitinto the said magazine opening, "the clip comprising a pair ofinterlocked memclip members on closure of the cover.

9. In a firearm of the type designated, the

combination of a magazine provided with a longitudinal dimension as theammunition space of the magazine, a slidably mounted cover for saidopening, an ammunition feeding spring in the magazine, means carried bythe sliding cover to engage and compress the spring as the cover ismoved to expose the said magazine opening, a clip to hold a plurality ofcartridges for simultaneous introduction of said cartridges as a unitinto the opening in the magazine, said clip com:

of substantially the same 12 prising a "pair of cartridge embracing'plates, one provided with inclined cam slots,

the other with spurs engaging said cam slots, and meansactuated' by themagazine cover to engage and slide the said plates on each other andspread them on closure of the'cover, thereby to release the cartridgesfrom the embrace of said plates.

10. In a firearm of'the type designated,

the combination of a magazine provided with aqlateraluopening ofsubstantially the same longitudinal dimension as the ammunition. spaceof the magazine, a slidably 'mounted cover for said open ng, an ammu-'1n the magazine,

nition feeding sp-rin means carried by the sliding cover to engage andcompress thetospringgas the cover is,

' moved to expose the said magazine opening,

a clip to hold a plurality of cartridges, said clip and cartridgesintroduceable as a unit into said ma azine opening, and a catch carmagazine cover. to holdthe ried' by sai same in place. a v a 11. In afirearm of thtype'designated,

the combination. of a magazine rovided with a lateral" opening ofsubstantlally the same longitudinal dimension asf'the ammunition spaceof. the magazine,'-a slidably mounted cover for said opening,an ammu-- vnition feedin sprin means carried y the s iding cover to engage andcompress the spring as the cover is moved to expose the said magazineopening, a clip to hold a plurality of cartridges, said clip andcartridges introduceable as a unit into the said magazine opening, theclip to hold the same. in place.

in the magazine, gned by. me at Brenton, Massachusetts,

comprising a pair of interlocked members, a: means actuated by the maazine cover to disengage I the cartridges rom said cli members onclosure of the cover, andja catc with a] lateral opening: ofsubstantially the same longitudinal dimension as the .-ammu-- Y nitionspace; of the magazine, a slidably mounted cover for said opening,an.ammunition,feedin spring in the magazine,

meansfcarried1 y the sliding cover to engage and compress the spring asthe cover is' 'moved to expose the said ma acli ,to hold a plurality ofcartridges for simu taneous introduction of said cartridges as" a unitinto the opening in the magazine, said clip comprising a pair ofcartridgeembracing plates, one provided with inclined cam slots, theother withspurswengaging said camslots, means actuated bv the magazin ecover-- to en age and slide thesaid plates-on each ot er' and spreadthem on closure of thecover, thereby to release the cartridges from theembrace ofsaid plates, and a catch carried by said azi'n'e opening,

40 carried by said magazine cover to hold the same in place. i

12. In a: firearm of the type designated, the combination of a magazineprovided '7

